When Disney parks reopen, masks will likely be the norm

Disney amusement parks in Orlando, Fla., and Anaheim, Calif., are still closed, but with the park in Shanghai reopened Monday, there are signs of what may be in store for the other parks when they reopen.

Among the measures in place in Shanghai are: smaller number of people in the park, masks for everyone, temperature screenings, no parades or fireworks and no closeup photos with Mickey Mouse.

Also at Shanghai Disneyland, decals on sidewalks and at lines for attractions show visitors where to stand to leave space between themselves. The company said rides will be limited to one group of visitors per car to keep strangers apart, the Associated Press reported.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek said in an interview with CNBC on Monday that the company is going to be “very conservative, very prudent, we’re going to be very disciplined about how we open up.”

“We’re very encouraged by what we see in Shanghai.” Disney CEO Bob Chapek says the company will be “very conservative” as it reopens its theme parks. https://t.co/OPGAPam4Gh pic.twitter.com/sFydyCzQhX

— CNBC (@CNBC) May 11, 2020

He also said that much of opening the parks, while sticking to government-issued covid-19 guidelines, will be determined by visitors. “Our guests have been extraordinarily diligent in terms of maintaining that social distancing, so far.”

He went out to say that “along with social distancing, one of the things we’re likely going to require is masks for both the cast and the guest.”

He said that guests will adjust to new guidelines, mentioning that while masks in Asia are fairly commonplace, that is not the case in the U.S. The masks are “something that will be a little trying for some of the guests, particularly in hot, humid summers that we tend to have,” referring to the weather in Central Florida.

Though no reopening dates are set for Walt Disney World in Orlando or Disneyland in Anaheim (or the other parks in Tokyo, Hong Kong or Paris), Chapek added the phased reopening of Disney Springs, a mall located next to Disney World, planned for May 20, is “a good sign.”

For the Disney Springs reopening, workers and guests will be required to wear face masks. Per Florida rules, indoor capacity will be limited to 25% and dining tables outside must be more than 6 feet apart, the Associated Press reported.

For travelers looking to visit the parks, the company is offering reservations for travel for July 1 and afterward.